Drill pipe identification method and apparatus

Abstract

A drill pipe identification method and apparatus utilizes a unique drill pipe identification code which is applied to each drill pipe by the manufacturer or in the field. The encoded pipe identification data is applied to the drill pipe utilizing a selected one of a variety of processes. These processes include welding, burning, optical etching utilizing lasers or welding to deposit a raised bead which is detected by tactical surface variation. The encoded identifier supported upon each drill pipe as is passes throughout the industry allows the user to investigate the history of the drill pipe which is accumulated in a central storage facility. As each user applies processes to the pipe, such as inspection or restoration, and/or employs the drill pipe in a drilling operation, the data of use is communicated to the central storage facility to enhance the drill pipe history available to subsequent potential users having come into possession of the drill pipe.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of imparting a drill pipe identification to a drill pipe comprising the steps of:
 providing a drill pipe encoder having welding means for imparting localized welded anomalies directly upon a drill pipe; 
 creating localized welded anomalies upon a selected area of drill pipe by positioning said drill pipe encoder in proximity to a drill pipe and imparting relative movement between said drill pipe encoder and a drill pipe during said step of creating localized anomalies, said anomalies including raised deposits of weld material and magnetically detectable areas within the drill pipe; and 
 controlling the locations of said welded anomalies upon the drill pipe in accordance with encoded drill pipe identification data that includes providing a unique drill pipe identification code to said identification data which uniquely distinguishes the encoded drill pipe from all other drill pipes. 
 
     
     
       2. The method set forth in  claim 1  further including the steps of:
 providing a reader having means for sensing and responding to said localized welded anomalies; and 
 reading said encoded drill pipe identification data by sensing said localized welded anomalies. 
 
     
     
       3. The method set forth in  claim 2  wherein said step of reading said encoded drill pipe identification data includes the steps of:
 positioning said reader in proximity to a drill pipe near said localized welded anomalies on a drill pipe; and 
 imparting relative movement between said reader and a drill pipe during said step of reading said encoded drill pipe identification data and sensing said raised deposits of weld material. 
 
     
     
       4. The method set forth in  claim 2  wherein said step of reading said encoded drill pipe identification data includes the steps of:
 positioning said reader in proximity to a drill pipe near said localized welded anomalies on a drill pipe; and 
 imparting relative movement between said reader and a drill pipe during said step of reading said encoded drill pipe identification data and sensing magnetic variations of said weld material. 
 
     
     
       5. The method set forth in  claim 4  wherein said reader includes a magnetic anomaly sensor and wherein said step of reading said encoded drill pipe identification data includes sensing magnetic anomalies in said drill pipe. 
     
     
       6. A method of imparting a drill pipe identification to a drill pipe comprising the steps of:
 providing a drill pipe encoder having welding means for imparting localized weld bead areas directly upon the surface of a drill pipe; 
 positioning said drill pipe encoder in proximity to a drill pipe; 
 imparting relative movement between said drill pipe encoder and a drill pipe; 
 creating localized anomalies directly upon a selected area of a drill pipe during said relative movement by forming localized surface anomalies and magnetic anomalies; and 
 controlling said anomalies in accordance with encoded drill pipe identification data which uniquely identifies the encoded drill pipe including a unique drill pipe identification code to said identification data which uniquely distinguishes the encoded drill pipe from all other drill pipes. 
 
     
     
       7. The method set forth in  claim 6  further including the steps of:
 providing a reader having means for sensing and responding to said localized welded anomalies; and 
 reading said encoded drill pipe identification data by sensing said localized welded anomalies. 
 
     
     
       8. The method set forth in  claim 7  wherein said welding means for imparting localized anomalies to a drill pipe includes a welder and wherein said step of creating localized anomalies upon a selected area of a drill pipe includes the step of welding upon a drill pipe. 
     
     
       9. The method set forth in  claim 8  wherein said reader includes a magnetic anomaly sensor and wherein said step of reading said encoded drill pipe identification data includes sensing magnetic anomalies in said drill pipe. 
     
     
       10. The method set forth in  claim 8  wherein said reader includes a surface variation sensor and wherein said step of reading said encoded drill pipe identification data includes sensing raised weld beads in said drill pipe.